Zoning & Planning

Beginning in Summer 2013, the Planning Department began working with the Sol Legare community on James Island to address planning and zoning issues. Planning staff members attended multiple meetings of the "Concerned Citizens of Sol Legare" to get to know the residents. In June 2013, the Department assisted the community in conducting a survey of residents to identify the community's desires and needs. The survey was not just related to planning and zoning, but it also gathered useful information on other public service issues such as public safety, transportation, and public works.

Information from the community survey was considered when completing the second Charleston County Comprehensive Plan Five-Year Review, which was adopted by County Council in January 2015. In the Comprehensive Plan, Sol Legare is one of many communities within the Urban/Suburban Area of the County that is recommended for “Urban/Suburban Cultural Community Protection” future land use. This future land use designation encourages customized zoning to meet the needs of individual communities. Many of these areas are historic African-American settlement communities.

The Planning Department implemented this future land use designation through coordination with the residents of Sol Legare to create a Community Plan and establish new zoning regulations based on the community's feedback. Several meetings were held in 2017 to ensure the community was supportive of the Community Plan and zoning regulations. The Community Plan and Sol Legare Overlay Zoning District were adopted by County Council on March 27, 2018. Click the Plan photo to the right to view the Community Plan. To view the Sol Legare Overlay Zoning District, click here. The Planning Department implemented this future land use designation through coordination with the residents of Sol Legare to create a Community Plan and establish new zoning regulations based on the community's feedback. Several meetings were held in 2017 to ensure the community was supportive of the Community Plan and zoning regulations. The Community Plan and Sol Legare Overlay Zoning District were adopted by County Council on March 27, 2018.